Re: 1951 ultramatic removal

Posted by Bobs51 On 2012/1/9 15:20:20

I have the transmission out of my 51, 300. Sitting on the ground it measures just under 17" high measured to the top of the bell housing. I think I have some bad news for you though. I don't believe you can get the transmission out by itself. I had to pull the engine and trans together. Tried to separate the engine and trans but was unable to do that with the assembly in the car. Was able to get all the bell housing bolts out but one. No way could I get on that last bolt at the top. Took the front motor mounts off and dropped the engine down till it was sitting on the front cross member. Not enough clearance. Even bought a swivel socket. Could not get that last bolt out. Couldn't even get a partial turn on it.

Other than the problem with the bolts another reason the trans will not come out without the engine is the fact that the tail cone of the trans sticks into the frames "X" member. Even if you get all the bell housing bolts out you still cant move everything forward enough the clear the tail shaft from the "X" member.

Needless to say to pull the engine and trans out you will need to remove the hood and the radiator support frame out of the car. The fenders are bolted to the radiator support so in my opinion the easier thing to do is to remove the fenders too. Then you will have all the room you need to work.

Good Luck with that.

PS. I know what I went through doing this however I am interested if anyone has done a transmission removal on a 51 without having to remove the engine with it. Thanks